Steve Lindsay

A dedicated public health inspector and his pregnant wife, who is a gifted cellist, travel to rural Maine in order to settle a land dispute between a local lumber mill, and the Native Americans, inhabiting the forests. There’s also a compelling subplot involving the various kinds of wildlife, and the consequences from environmental pollution. Furthermore, nature’s imbalance and the unearthly mutations take center stage in this 1979 odyssey of horror. Veteran film director, John Frankenheimer, brings a real flair of suspense and intrigue throughout PROPHECY, and the main monster is a gory, grisly delight. It’s a well-acted thriller with ecological strength to its premise. Written by the talented author, David Seltzer, PROPHECY is deserving of its cult reputation, and a good tribute to the celluloid creatures of ‘50s cinema.

A small Western town sheriff (James Brolin), and his police outpost, fight a relentless menace on four wheels powered by Lucifer himself. That’s it. Such a simple storyline, but the execution by director Elliot Silverstein is terrific firing on all epic cylinders. This ‘70s thrill ride gem gets great mileage from top screenwriters (Dennis Shryack, Michael Butler, and Lane Slate), including some fantastic and jaw-dropping stunts throughout the movie. Plus, the remarkable cast and desert locales are superb. Panned by film critics upon its initial release, THE CAR is a certified cult classic and one of the best JAWS imitators of its era. Most memorable is the sinister Lincoln Continental designed to perfection by George Barris. THE CAR is a supercharged tour de force.

Regardless of the widespread hate and harsh criticism, I’m in the minority when it comes to “The Swarm.” It’s a highly enjoyable and very entertaining thriller from 1978. Irwin Allen was a daring and demanding filmmaker, and I also believed that he achieved the theatrical vision of Arthur Herzog’s best-selling novel. Moreover, I really liked the extended director’s cut of the bee movie. A brilliant all-star cast, gripping suspense, stunning visual effects (the climactic attack on Houston is a highlight), and a rousing music score from the great Jerry Goldsmith. Plus, Stirling Silliphant’s screenplay is solid and faithful enough to the source material. Despite the negative reviews, and its poor box office results, “The Swarm” holds a special place in my heart since childhood, and it still does today. It’s a terrific doomsday epic.